For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

Penn State's online MBA program is suitable for individuals of diverse academic and professional backgrounds and requires no prerequisite course work. However, previous course work in accounting, economics, math, and statistics, or knowledge of these subjects gained through work experience adds to the strength of your application portfolio.

Admissions Requirements
 

The application portfolio includes:

Online application: Click the "Apply Now" button to the right. 

Recommendations (two): You initiate the process through the online application by entering names and e-mail addresses of two recommenders. Those individuals will each receive an e-mail asking them to complete a brief online recommendation.

Résumé: A listing of your professional experience. Two years' worth of professional experience is preferred, but not required.

Statement of Intent: The statement of intent is your way to differentiate yourself from the competition. Tell us why you've decided to pursue an online MBA and why the iMBA is a good fit for you. You can also highlight the talent and experience you will bring to the iMBA program.

U.S. bachelor's degrees: Bachelor's degrees must be earned from a regionally accredited institution.

Foreign bachelor's degrees: Applicants with foreign degrees must provide official transcripts in the language of instruction—with certified, English translation.The Penn State Graduate School accepts evaluations of foreign transcripts from Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE) only.

Official Test Scores: GMAT or GRE (either test is acceptable)

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): Submit your official score report, using the iMBA code listed as: Pennsylvania State University, World Campus, iMBA ZZ8-JW-99. GMAT scores must be no older than five years.
-or-
GRE General Test: Select code 2660 for Penn State. GRE scores must be no older than five years.

The GMAT or GRE requirement may be waived only if the applicant holds a doctorate-level degree. No waivers will be granted for work experience or existing graduate degrees other than those at the doctorate level.

English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. All international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with some exceptions. Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School "How to Apply" page.

Two official transcripts from each higher-education institution attended. A bachelor's degree is required. Please mail your transcripts directly to the following address to ensure prompt receipt and processing:

iMBA Program Office
The Pennsylvania State University
5340 Fryling Road, Suite 104
Erie PA 16510

Application Portfolio Evaluation

The Admissions Committee considers the entire portfolio and seeks applicants that can succeed in a high-quality MBA program. GMAT scores are critical for accreditation, represent the one standardized admission criterion, and are an important element of the application portfolio. However, trade-offs between admission requirements are made (i.e., exceptional work experience and a good undergraduate GPA might offset a lower GMAT score, or a good GMAT score might offset limited work experience).

GMAT Information
 

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) measures general mathematical, verbal, and analytical writing skills. It is not intended to test specific subject areas, nor does it require that you have already taken business courses. The GMAT provides a common standard of performance for iMBA applicants who come from diverse educational and employment backgrounds. Requiring the GMAT ensures that you will have capable peers to network with, and assures us that we will have enrolled students who are able to succeed in the program. The GMAT requirement may be waived only if the applicant holds a doctorate-level degree. No waivers will be granted for work experience or existing graduate degrees other than those at the doctorate level.

If you have already taken the GMAT, your score should be no more than 5 years old at the time of your application. Scores must be sent directly to the Penn State World Campus iMBA (code ZZ8-JW-99). You can find out more about the exam by visiting the GMAT Web site at http://www.mba.com/ or by calling 800-717-4628.

Applying to the iMBA Program

Begin the graduate school application.

On the "Campus, Major, Degree & Semester" page:

• Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus.
• Choose "BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION" as the major
• Choose "M B A" as the degree